Relationship of stable combinations of salivary catecholamines with cerebral function organization in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia

The study of the role of catecholamines (CAs) in cerebral organization of functions in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) is relevant, since their important role as neurotransmitters is well known, along with the association with stress severity and cortisol. The study aimed to assess the impact of stable combinations of dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NA), and adrenaline (ADR) on the organization of cerebral functions. A total of 76 patients with CCI were assessed based on the fMRI data (n = 21) converted into a network structure using the SPM-12 and CONN-18 software tools. Significance level estimation involved adjustment for multiple comparisons. Stable combinations of CAs reflecting mutual positive correlation of DA, NA and BP significantly affected cerebral organization of patients with CCI. CA combinations were associated with salivary cortisol (F = 4.8; p = 0.038) and memory (F = 7.5; p = 0.011) indices: the CA level increase was associated with increased cortisol levels and worse memory indices. Based on fMRI data the differences were revealed in connectivity organization of CCI patients with high and low levels of all three CAs. Patients with the CA content below median are characterized by the presence of closed neural networks extending to both brain hemispheres, which contributes to information integration and retention. It is assumed that such networks may be associated with the long-term potentiation mechanisms playing an important role in memory processes and changes in the synaptic connection strength. Thus, the use of non-invasive biochemistry testing methods and fMRI has made it possible to obtain new data on the ring organization of brain neural networks associated with stable CA combinations. Such neural network organization is likely to affect cognitive functions. High catecholamine levels in CCI patients are associated with increased cortisol levels, memory deterioration, and decreased connectivity in neural network of the brain.